Seattle University Researchers Named A Shrimp With Killer Sound After Pink Floyd [VIDEO]
ByA team of scientists from Seattle University, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Brazil's Universidade Federal de Goiás, recently discovered a new type of shrimp with a bright pink claw in the Pacific Ocean and aptly named the crustacean after the legendary rock band - Pink Floyd.
The shrimp, Synalpheus pinkfloydi in the scientific description of the species, is a strikingly bright pink-clawed species of pistol shrimp discovered off the Pacific coast of Panama. It was named after Pink Floyd in recognition of the discoverer's favorite rock band, Eureka reported.
Zoologist and Pink Floyd fan Dr. Sammy de Grave, from Oxford University's Museum of Natural History, had been waiting to honor the rock legends by giving their name to a new species. He adds that the description of the new species was the perfect opportunity to finally honor his favorite band.
Pistol shrimps or snapping shrimps have the ability to generate a substantial amount of sonic energy. The shrimp generates its sound by closing its enlarged clay at rapid speed, creating a high-pressure capitation bubble.
The implosion of this bubble results in one of the loudest sounds that can reach 210 decibels - louder than the sound of a gunshot - is strong enough to stun or even kill a small fish, Oxford University reported on the findings. Aside from its deafening sound, the imploding bubble, for a split-second also generates temperatures of 4,400°C (7,950°F), which is nearly as hot as the surface of the sun, IFLScience reported.
Though similar to Synalpheus antillensis, scientifically described in 1909, found in the western Atlantic, including the Caribbean side of Panama, the two species show considerable genetic divergence, which grants S. pinkfloydi its new species status and a cool rock band name.
Most recent species names have been the likes of Eriovixia gryffindori, is a species of spider named after Godric Gryffindor, one of the founders of Hogwarts, and the Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, a blond, bewigged moth with small genitals. The complete description of Synalpheus pinkfloydi appears in the journal Zootaxa.
